Sunday, July 14, 2013

If
we were stranded on a deserted island like Phineas, we would need many things
to survive. We would need water. We would need food. We would need fire. We
would need clothing. We would need shelter.As
we learned in our study of the book of Daniel this Spring, we are exiles living
in a foreign land. This is not our true home, at least not in the state it is
right now. So how are we to survive as a stranger to this world? James lists
four survival skills. Can you name them?a.Perseverance
is trusting in God’s work.

b.Wisdom is
trusting in God’s way.

c.Faith is
trusting in God’s word.

d.Humility
is trusting in God’s worth.

Today, we
will read a little more about faith. What is faith? [Allow time for kids to
respond.] When are some times we need faith? [Respond.] Does it matter who or
what we put our faith in? [Respond]

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith, but has no
deeds? Can such faith save him?Let
me ask you that question James asked his audience. “What good is it, my
brothers and sisters, if a man says he has faith, but doesn’t do what he says?
Can such faith save him? [Allow time for response.In
case you had a hard time understanding the question, James gives an example.
[Call up 3 volunteers. Whisper the scenario in their ears. One enters the room
pretending to be cold and hungry.He approaches the other person (carrying a Bible, and munching on food)
who says in as sincere a voice as he can muster, “Go, I wish you well. Keep
warm and well fed.” The cold, hungry person just looks at him and walks off.]Suppose a
brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him,
“Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his
physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not
accompanied by action, is dead.What
do you think this person really believed about helping others?[Replay
the scenario with the third volunteer showing his faith with actions.]What do
you think this person really believed about helping others?But someone will say, “You have faith; I
have deeds."Show
me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You
believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that – and
shudder.What
is different about the faith demons have and the faith Christians have? [Allow
time for responses.] The deeds of demons are very different from the deeds of
Christians. So faith must mean more than believing something to be true. It
means acting a certain way based on this belief.You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is
useless? Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when
he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions
were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the
scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited
to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person
is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.James
gives the example of Abraham. Do you know the story of Abraham? The Lord asked
Abraham to leave his country and go to a new land where he would be made into a
great nation. Abraham obeyed and went. Years passed and Abraham did not have a
child. God told Abraham, “I am your shield, your very great reward.” Abraham
asked, “What can you give me since I remain childless.” God said, “You will
have a son. Look up at the heavens and count the stars – if indeed you can
count them. So shall your offspring be.” Abram believed the Lord, and he
credited it to him as righteousness.From
the very beginning, the Bible makes it clear that righteousness comes by faith.
Did Abraham’s faith lead to action? Abraham and Sarah had a baby, Isaac, the
long awaited son. It was this promised child that God asked Abraham to
sacrifice. This was a key moment in Abraham’s life. Did he really believe that
God wanted what was good? Did he believe that God was capable of raising Isaac
from the dead? Did Abraham trust God even when it didn’t make sense to him?
Yes, yes, and yes. Abraham’s faith was made complete by what he did.Did
Phineas have faith in the video diary clip we watched? What challenge did he
have to overcome to show his faith? Is it easy to say, “I believe?” Is it easy
to believe?

One
of my favorites songs is called “Faith to Be Strong.” It says, “Give us faith
to be strong; give us strength to be faithful.” I think that’s a good prayer.
Let’s pray and ask God to help us show faith.Attendance:1st Service Kingdom Kids = 12 Kingdom Kids = 27Kinder-Kingdom = 14Offering: This Week: $5.75This Month: $11.60Kid Quote: "Did you know there are things inside you that you can't even see with an x-ray?" (Maxson)

Monday, July 8, 2013

Look at these crayons. They are all different sizes and colors. Some are sharp and some are dull. But even though these crayons are different, they all have one thing in common. They are all crayon.

Can you imagine always having to color in gray?

[Show a picture of everything colored in gray.]

Pretty boring, huh?

But we don't have just one color. There are many, and the variety in colors adds for a more exciting picture.

[Show a picture of everything in bright colors.]

Don't these colors add such beauty to this picture? And look, the sharp crayons help me get in tight places like these. The duller crayons are better for coloring large areas. The old crayons work just as good as the new ones, and it doesn't matter if the wrapper is a bit torn. They still have these beautiful colors on the inside.

This reminds me of the Church. The people that make up the Church come in all sizes and colors. Some are old and some are young. Some are pretty sharp and some may be a little dull. Some are dressed in fancy clothes, others in plain ones. But we all have one thing in common. We are all human. We are all created and loved by God.

1. Created and Loved by God

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
Let's play a game called "Pick your Favorite." I am going to name two items. If you like the first item better, stand up. If you like the second item better, remain sitting.

- Chocolate or Vanilla
- Superman or Spiderman
- The Pool or The Ocean
- Basketball or Soccer
- Board Game or Video Game
- Book or Movie
- Plain M&M's or Peanut M&M's
-Dill Pickles or Sweet Pickles
- Bath or Shower
- Tennis Shoes or Flip Flops
- Jonah or Caleb

I saw that you hesitated to answer that last one. When is it okay to have favorites? When is it not okay to have favorites? Why is it okay to have favorites with things but not with people?

[Bring out two presents, one nicely wrapped with nothing on the inside, and the other taped together with newspaper but containing a great treasure.]

If we were to just look at the outward appearance and make our choice based on what these gifts look like, which present would you pick?

[Open up the two packages to reveal what's inside.]

It's what's on the inside that counts.

Remember the story of Samuel choosing a king to rule over God's people? God told Samuel to go to the house of Jesse. When Jesse's family arrived, Samuel saw Eliab, the oldest, and thought, "Surely this is the king God has chosen." But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." God chose the youngest son, David, to rule over Israel.

Remember Peter's vision of the animals on the sheet? He saw heaven open and a large sheet came down to earth. On the sheet were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and birds. A voice told Peter to get up and eat, but Peter refused, "Surely not! I have never eaten anything unclean." The voice said, "Don't call anything unclean that God has made clean." Peter would come to realize that his dream wasn't really about animals or food. It was about people. Through Jesus, God made all men clean, even the Gentiles. And if God says they're clean. They are clean. Peter said, "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right."

God does not show favoritism, and neither should we, his children.

How can we make sure we don't show favoritism? By treating everyone as we would like to be treated.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.
When you walk into a new place, how would you like to be treated? When you make a mistake, how would you like people to treat you?

2. Lawbreakers

We are all humans, created and loved by God. And we are all lawbreakers. James writes,

But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not commit murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
Paul agrees with James when he writes in Romans 3:22-23, "There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." There is no place for boasting in the body of Christ. We are all lawbreakers.

3. Mercy is offered to all

But the verse does not stop there. It continues, "...[all] are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." We are lawbreakers, but we are offered a new identity. It doesn't matter if you are a Jew, a Greek, slave or free, male or female. We are all one in Christ Jesus.

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

God is merciful to us. We don't deserve his goodness, but he lavishes it on us anyway. God has shown mercy to you, so be merciful to all. After all, you are becoming more like your heavenly Father every day.

Monday, June 17, 2013

Yesterday, I challenged our students to collectively memorize 200 verses from the book of James this summer. If we meet our goal, we will have a pizza and pool party (the kind of pool with water, not with a cue stick, as Barrett wanted to clarify :) Here are the verses they can memorize:

James 1:2-3 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1:4 - Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:19 - My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

James 1:22 - Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:27 - Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

James 2:5 - Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

James 2:10 - For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

James 2:14 - What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

James 2:15-16 - Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food, If one of you says to him, "Go I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

James 2:26 - As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

James 3:5-6 - Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.

James 3:7-8 - All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:9-10 - With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

James 3:13 - Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.

James 3:16 - For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

James 3:17 - But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

James 4:1 - What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?

James 4:2 - You do not have, because you do not ask God.

James 4:7-8 - Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:10 - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

James 4:12 - There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you - who are you to judge your neighbor?

James 4:17 - Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

James 5:7 - Be patient, then brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

James 5:8 - You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.

James 5:9 - Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

James 5:11 - The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

James 5:12 - Above all, my brothers, do not swear - not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and you "No," no, or you will be condemned.

James 5:13 - Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.

James 5:14 - Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:15 - And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.

James 5:16 - Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Perseverance is trusting in God's work. It is never giving up, because you trust that God is at work in the world even when you can't see it. It is never giving in, because you trust that God is at work in you.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

The author of Hebrews says life is like a race that we are to run with perseverance. Whenever I run, it's easy for my mind to get distracted by how tired my legs are or how short of breath I am. Sometimes I think about the runners next to me or my friends and family in the crowd. It's the same with life. Sometimes I get distracted by how tired I am, how hard it is to wait on God's timing, how it feels like I am alone and no one else is doing the right thing. So how do we keep running?

Hebrews 12:2 says we fix our eyes on Jesus. We don't look at our legs and think about how tired we are. We don't look at the other runners and think about how much faster they are. We don't look in the stadium and worry about letting people down. We look at Jesus, and we keep running.

Jesus ran the race with perseverance. He did not give up or give in. He went through the hardest trial of all (being betrayed, mocked, beaten, crucified, and abandoned). What gave him the strength to not give up? It was the joy set before him. He saw that obedience to the Father would bring joy (both to himself and to the whole world). And he kept running.

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24 that we should run in such a way as to get the prize. What is the prize at the end of the race? It is the crown of life.

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when full-grown, gives birth to death.

If those who persevere receive the crown of life, what is reserved for those who give in? Death. Why do we sin if we know sin gives birth to death? Well, there are many reasons we sin. One reason we sin is because it's hard for us to wait. A neuroscientist named David Eagleman observed, "Things that are offered right now have so much more power than things that are offered in the future." We will make all sorts of poor choices if something is offered right now, rather than later.

Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Sometimes we think God wants us to fail. We think he tempts us just to watch us fall. But that is not true! Sometimes we think God likes to keep good things from us, that he makes up rules so that we will be unhappy. But that is not true, either! God is the giver of every good gift.

Did you know that Satan does not have the power to create. He can only destroy. He can only take what God made for good and twist it for evil. He tempts us to take the gifts God has given us in the wrong way or at the wrong time. He is the trickster. He is the deceiver. James encourages us not to be deceived but to listen to the word of truth. If Satan is the liar, God is the truth-teller. Let's listen for the voice of Jesus. Let's look for God's good work in the world. Let's trust in the Holy Spirit's good work in us. Fix your eyes on Jesus and run with perseverance. Don't give up when trials come. There is a crown waiting for you. Don't give in when temptations rise. Life and joy come to those who stand strong.

Who can fight such a formidable foe? Someone with might? Great speed? Stealth? A trained warrior? A powerful wizard? An armored knight?

Gandalf chose a Hobbit. There is nothing magical about a Hobbit. They are small, ordinary folk who often prefer the comfort of home to an unknown adventure.

So you can understand Galadriel's curiosity when the council gathers to discuss an even darker shadow rising within Middle Earth. She asks, "Why the Halfling?" Gandalf responds,

"Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay, simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid and he gives me courage."

If you were to ask me why I am a children's minister, I think I would respond in similar fashion. Perhaps it is because I believe the meek will inherit the earth. I've seen giants fall to slings, kings succumb to shepherds, and strongholds crumble beneath the weight of a single cup of cold water. Why am I a children's minister? Perhaps it is because I am afraid and children give me courage.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

James is a New Testament letter written to Christians scattered among the nations. Why were they scattered?

Christianity began in Jerusalem with the death and resurrection of Jesus. The disciples, filled with the Holy Spirit, stood up among crowds and preached that Jesus was the Prince and Savior of Israel. The word of God spread and the number of disciples grew.

On of God's followers was a man named Stephen. Stephen preached that Jesus was God's Messiah. He told the religious leaders that they we just like those who killed God's prophets, except worse. They killed God's Righteous One. This made them furious. They dragged Stephen out of the city and heaved heavy stones at him. They killed Stephen.

On that day, a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.

But threats don't thwart the preaching of the Good News. Those who were scattered continued to preach the Word wherever they went. More people heard, and more believed. In the face of great opposition, the Church continued to grow. Because you see, sticks and stones can't break the marrow of these bones.

James is writing to these Christians who face death daily. He is writing to Christians who hug their loved ones tight because they know very well that it might be their last. James writes to Christians who face jeers, sneers, and tears, and he tells them, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds."

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

In his letter, James passes along four survival skills to his brothers and sisters in Christ. We are introduced to all four of these survival skills in the first 11 verses of James' letter.

1. Perseverance

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Perseverance is trusting God's work. It is trusting God to work in and through us. It is holding tight to God's goodness and timing. It is doing the right thing and never giving up no matter what because you believe God is at work even when you can't see the immediate results.

"After each failure, ask forgiveness, pick yourself up, and try again. Very often what God firsts helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just this power of always trying again" (Lewis, Mere Christianity).

2. Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Faith is trusting God's word. It is knowing what God says, he will do, and acting accordingly.

4. Humility

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

Humility is trusting God's worth. It is knowing God holds all power and glory and trusting that He will dispense it at the proper moment.